Explainer: Abe, Trump head for trade deal; auto tariffs a sticking point

U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are expected to clinch a deal on farm tariffs and digital trade when they meet in New York next week. Full details of the agreement have not been disclosed. Below are some key elements about the pending agreement. Trump’s announcement of an initial deal earlier this week left unanswered questions over whether the agreement would deliver Japan one of the main prizes it seeks: a U.S. pledge not to impose national security tariffs of up to 25% on Japanese vehicles and auto parts under Section 232 of U.S. trade law.

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Emerging Technology

Actsoft Achieves FedRAMP ‘In Process’ Designation for its Workforce Manager Platform

Business Wire | October 19, 2023

Actsoft, a leading provider of innovative workforce management solutions, proudly announces that its cutting-edge Workforce Manager for Gov platform has achieved the “In Process” designation as one of the critical steps in the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) authorization process. The FedRAMP “In Process” designation validates Actsoft's dedication to meeting the highest standards of security, privacy, and compliance required by federal agencies. This achievement underscores Actsoft's leadership in providing solutions that optimize workforce productivity, streamline operations, and ensure data integrity for government entities at the federal level. The availability of a FedRAMP Authorized workforce management platform from Actsoft will streamline operations and elevate the employee experience across U.S government agencies, said Tom Mitchell, CEO of Actsoft. The ‘In Process’ designation reflects Actsoft's unwavering commitment to supporting government agencies with secure, innovative solutions. Actsoft's Workforce Manager for Gov platform offers various capabilities, including real-time data collection, intelligent scheduling, resource tracking, compliance monitoring, and robust reporting. Having already received StateRAMP authorization, Actsoft will be able to extend these capabilities to federal agencies, contributing to their mission success and enhancing productivity and transparency by digitizing and automating office- and field-based operations. Visit the FedRAMP Marketplace website for more information. About Actsoft Founded in 1996, Actsoft, Inc. is a leading provider of workforce management solutions and headquartered in Tampa, Florida. Actsoft, Inc.’s technology helps companies manage their field- and office-based workforce by automating manual processes, digitizing workflows, and optimizing communications. Their workforce management platform includes key capabilities such as job dispatching, mobile timekeeping, digital forms, GPS tracking and geo-fencing of employees, vehicles, and assets. Actsoft, Inc. works with over 8,000 customers and over 138,000 users who rely on the company daily to run more productive and profitable operations. The company is also proud to be the exclusive provider of a white-labeled workforce management app for carriers around the globe. Actsoft, Inc.

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Cybersecurity

ZeroFox Renews and Expands 8-Figure Contract with Critical U.S. Federal Agency

GlobeNewswire | October 25, 2023

ZeroFox, a leading provider of external cybersecurity, is proud to announce its continued partnership with a strategic U.S. federal agency focused on cybersecurity. This renewal marks the 9th continuous year of ZeroFox supporting critical cyber threat intelligence activities. The partnership originated between the agency and LookingGlass Cyber Solutions, which ZeroFox acquired in April earlier this year. This program supports thousands of users across more than 200 departments and agencies across federal, state, and local governments to provide cyber threat intelligence, attack surface Intelligence, and advanced security operations support. ZeroFox products are integrated into core operational systems, and are often the primary means of consuming Automated Indicator Sharing (AIS), required by all federal agencies. We’re proud to play a part in the federal government’s critical cybersecurity initiatives and support their mission to keep organizations safe with our threat intelligence and adversary disruption capabilities, said James C. Foster, Chairman and CEO of ZeroFox. This expansion further establishes ZeroFox as a trusted partner of federal agencies and demonstrates continued success in growing our large public sector and enterprise customer base. ZeroFox provides government organizations with critical visibility, deep intelligence, and automated protection necessary to identify and address threats outside the perimeter. Using a global data collection apparatus, artificial intelligence-based analysis, and automated remediation, ZeroFox products reduce risk, disrupt and dismantle attackers' infrastructure, and protect organizations against targeted nation-state-sponsored cyberattacks. The external attack surface for government agencies is ever-expanding with the proliferation of cloud- and internet-based applications, making it essential to have a complete picture of each agency’s digital risk, said Dan Smith, Vice President of Federal at ZeroFox. At ZeroFox, we strive to provide all of our federal customers with the intelligence they need to make informed decisions about how to best secure our nation and its people from external cyber threats. This renewal underscores that commitment – we’re proud to be a trusted partner of the federal government. About ZeroFox ZeroFox, an enterprise software-as-a-service leader in external cybersecurity, has redefined security outside the corporate perimeter on the internet, where businesses operate, and threat actors thrive. The ZeroFox platform combines advanced AI analytics, digital risk and privacy protection, full-spectrum threat intelligence, and a robust portfolio of breach, incident and takedown response capabilities to expose and disrupt phishing and fraud campaigns, botnet exposures, credential theft, impersonations, data breaches, and physical threats that target your brands, domains, people, and assets. Join thousands of customers, including some of the largest public sector organizations as well as finance, media, technology and retail companies to stay ahead of adversaries and address the entire lifecycle of external cyber risks. ZeroFox and the ZeroFox logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of ZeroFox, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries.

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Emerging Technology

OPEXUS Government Process Management Platform eCASE® Attains StateRAMP Moderate Authorization

Business Wire | September 14, 2023

OPEXUS, formerly known as AINS, LLC, and leader in government process management software, today announces it has attained StateRAMP authorization for eCASE®, a built-for-government case management solution that streamlines workflows and accelerates key government processes. StateRAMP was established in 2020 to efficiently verify that service providers meet the cloud security standards required to do business with state and local governments. The StateRAMP verification process, built upon the widely accepted National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-53 framework, and independently audited by a reputable third-party assessment organization (3PAO), ensures the highest level of security and compliance. Achievement of this authorization underscores the company's dedication to supporting state and local governments with cutting-edge technology that enhances productivity, flexibility, and collaboration. With this certification, OPEXUS will empower state, local, and educational (SLED) agencies to elevate trust in public institutions with dynamic case management and rapid application development technology that was purpose-built for the government. OPEXUS supports public sector human resources teams by providing an umbrella of workforce management tools that include eCASE® EEO/eComplaint and eCASE® ER/LR. The company also offers eCASE® Audit and eCASE® Investigations, case-management tools built specifically for government auditors and investigators. "State and local government agencies experience many challenges keeping pace with private sector advancements in technology, cyber security, and data security software – from long purchasing timelines to budget constraints, but they cannot compromise on security,” said Howard Langsam, CEO of OPEXUS. “By demonstrating our security qualifications through StateRAMP, we are removing one more barrier to these agencies being able to purchase cloud solutions that meet both their operational and security requirements.” In 2014, OPEXUS attained FedRAMP authorization at the moderate level for its eCASE®, eCASE® COTS and FOIAXpress® solutions, including Audit, Investigations, Employee & Labor Relations, and EEO Complaints. The company has also achieved Defense Information Systems Agency Impact Level 2 (DISA IL2), FISMA, NIST 800-53 Revision 4, and FIPS certifications. About OPEXUS Get government unstuck with OPEXUS. OPEXUS is the leader in FedRAMP-certified government process management software with more than 30 years of experience supporting public institutions. The company brings operational excellence to governments’ middle office so agencies can focus on the critical work of mission delivery. OPEXUS empowers 100,000 government users with exceptional technology experiences and a built-for-government product suite, including solutions for audit, investigations, correspondence, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, and employee and labor relations. Located in the heart of Washington D.C., OPEXUS works with more than 150 public institutions in the US and Canada.

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